What is the gut-brain-skin-axis?
The skin–gut–brain axis is the three-way communication network between your digestive system, your nervous system, and your skin. They’re constantly signaling each other through hormones, immune messengers, the nervous system (especially the vagus nerve), and the microbiome.
When you're stressed, your brain releases cortisol and inflammation signals. That stress response alters gut motility, stomach acid, and microbiome balance. An imbalanced gut increases systemic inflammation, which then shows up in the skin as acne, rosacea, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, or increased sensitivity. So a stressed brain can disrupt the gut, and a disrupted gut can inflame the skin.
YOUR Brain & Gut Influence The State of Your Skin
Chronic stress, unstable blood sugar, poor sleep, leaky gut, disruptive bacteria overgrowth, toxic overload lead to skin reactions :
Acne flaring during stress
Eczema worsening with gut imbalance
Rosacea linked to SIBO
Psoriasis associated with systemic inflammation
Dermatitis triggered by food sensitivities
So How do probiotics come in to play?
Probiotics are a foundational tool to support radiant skin from the inside out. They help rebalance the gut microbiome by introducing beneficial bacteria that crowd out inflammatory microbes, strengthen the gut lining, and calm systemic inflammation. When the gut is more resilient, the nervous system is more regulated — and that often translates to clearer, calmer, more balanced, and less reactive skin.
Probiotics calm the gut → calm systemic inflammation → regulate stress hormones → support the skin barrier → reduce inflammatory skin conditions.
Spore-Based Probiotics Are Superior
Unlike typical, fragile strains, spore-based probiotics (also called Soil-Based Organisms or SBOs) have a nearly 100% survival rate through the digestive tract.
These spores are naturally designed to survive harsh stomach acid and digestive enzymes and reach the large intestine alive. Once there, they can activate and begin interacting with the microbiome rather than dying off before they get to the gut.
Because spore probiotics can influence the overall balance of the gut ecosystem, they can also support calmer stress signaling via the vagus nerve and HPA axis. Less chronic stress means lower cortisol, and that often correlates with fewer stress-induced breakouts, dehydration lines, or sensitivity flares.
The Psychobiome & psychobiotics
The concept of the psychobiome grew out of research showing that certain gut bacteria can produce or influence neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and GABA, as well as regulate inflammation and stress hormones. Because about 90% of serotonin is produced in the gut, the microbiome plays a significant role in how we process stress, anxiety, and even depression.
From a skin perspective, this matters because mood, stress, and inflammation are deeply intertwined. An imbalanced psychobiome can amplify cortisol and inflammatory cytokines — which again, often show up as acne flares, rosacea, eczema, or increased sensitivity.
In order to support the brain - skin connection of the psychobiome, researchers have found that psychobiotics - specific probiotic strains can positively influence mood, stress resilience, and cognitive function. Leaving your skin more balanced and radiant over time.
Bifidobacterium longum 1714™
Zenbiome™ COPE supports the psychobiome using cutting-edge probiotic technology. 1714™, a unique strain of Bifidobacterium longum, is an up-and-coming psychobiotic that can help support the management of stress and its biochemical expression within the human body.
This psychobiotic targets the HPA axis to support healthy cortisol levels. 1714™ can support mental health, cognitive process, neurotransmitters, and overall feeling of well-being.
Zenbiome COPE includes supportive nutrients like:
Vitamin B6 & B12: These help with neurotransmitter production and energy metabolism, both key for mood regulation and nervous system balance.
Saffron Extract: A botanical known in research to support emotional balance and well‑being.
IMPROVE SLEEP QUALITY & IMPROVE SKIN QUALITY
During deep sleep, your body increases production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which help maintain firmness, elasticity, and hydration. Poor sleep reduces this repair process, leading to dull, dry, or prematurely aging skin.
Sleep also activates the brain and body’s detox pathways, like the glymphatic system, which clears metabolic waste. This systemic detox reduces oxidative stress that could otherwise contribute to premature aging or inflammation on the skin.
Zenbiome SLEEP includes supportive nutrients like:
L‑Theanine – an amino acid that promotes calming alpha brain waves that support relaxation without drowsiness the next day.
Lemon Balm Extract – an herbal ally traditionally used to ease tension and support restful sleep.
When paired with healthy lifestlye habits spore-based probiotics and targeted psychobiotics create a balanced gut and a resilient psychobiome to help regulate stress, support restful sleep, and reduce systemic inflammation — all of which directly benefit the skin by calming flare-ups, strengthening the barrier, and promoting natural repair.
